Life Span

Morose topic but prompted by a question from my wife. I have left side uc since age 49 and was in remission via colazyl from 2003 to 2007. I have been in a severe flare since November am being encouraged to go for Remicade or Humira.

Other than uc, I consider myself exceptionally healthy (except for being on pred-20/day and for the last week 40/day). Is there any data or insights about what remi or humira may do to ones lifespan?

Thanks

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54 yo male
First flare at age 49

Hi,

I work as a statistican myself so I've done a bit of research on this.

The reduction in longevity due to having UC is very small - a few months. So for the average person having UC only slightly reduces your lifespan.

The new drugs like Imuran and Remi etc have not been on the market long enough to analyse accurately their effect on longevity. If anyone tells you otherwise it's simply wrong.

However the FDA will do extensive research and projections on all drugs and make assumptions about how they think the drug will effect your mortality. It would be very rare for them to give apporval to a drug that they thought would reduce lifepsan by more than 12 months. Of course the assumptions that they make could be wrong.

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Asacol and Iron as Needed. <I've fallen back into unhealthy ways and really enjoying it, burb!>

Thanks for your thoughtful repy

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54 yo male
First flare at age 49

Mike...have you tried any rectal meds?

Maybe something to consider before the big-guns.

Regarding life-span....some of us do get UC-related liver disease which is fatal, but not terminal (interesting perspective). A liver transplant buys time when the patient's liver cannot sustain life..., but interestingly, the new liver will also get the UC-related disease eventually....so, I would think that cuts down on life-span if it's active.

I believe the goal to keep everything nice and quiet helps.

quincy

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I have been following your docs advice-Rowasa (can't hold it), Canasa, Cortifoam and for the last 10 day hydrocortisone enemas combined with 40mg oral pred. Seems a little better the last 2 days.

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54 yo male
First flare at age 49